Watering is one of the main care measures when growing dill. The culture is unpretentious, but an excess or lack of moisture for it can be dangerous. It is necessary to take into account the growing conditions and the development phases of dill in order to correctly select the multiplicity and method of watering.
Frequency and methods of watering dill
In the garden, dill is grown in open ground or a greenhouse, and at home, the crop can also be obtained on the windowsill. The irrigation features depend on the selected method and phase of plant growth.
Outdoor cultivation
In the open ground dill is planted with seeds. The soil is pre-moistened, so the culture has enough moisture. At this stage, watering is not required at all, but only until the first shoots appear.
In the rest of the period of growth and development, the culture must be watered constantly. The frequency of irrigation should be focused on the condition of the soil - it should always be moistened.
It is recommended to water dill 1 time in 5-7 days. In the heat of watering, add up to 2-3 times a week, and it is better to spray the culture every day. If there are dry days, it is recommended to water the dill twice a day.
On hot days, it is better to water the dill in the evening after sunset or in the early morning. During daytime watering, moisture on the green is fraught with burns. If it is cold outside, then watering should be done in the morning or afternoon, so that the soil dries out in the evening. This reduces the risk of fungal crop diseases.
You can water dill in different ways:
- Sprinkling. The best option for any greenery. To do this, you can use a special irrigation system or dispense with an ordinary hose. In the second case, it is more convenient to use a special nozzle, although you can plug the hole in the old manner with your finger.
- Drip irrigation. A very effective way of watering. Such a system is appropriate for large areas of 20 acres. A prerequisite for its use is a constant supply of water.
When growing dill in open ground, the frequency of irrigation should be oriented to the condition of the soil, but its type must also be taken into account:
- Sand. If it seems wet, but when compressed in a fist, a lump does not form, then watering is needed.
- Sandy loam soil. Watering is required when it is possible to form a ball from it without pressure.
- Medium and heavy loamy soil. It is necessary to form a ball from the earth. If it splits in the hand when pressed, then watering is needed.
For this verification, you need to take a soil sample at a depth of 25-30 cm.
Unlike many crops, dill must be watered before harvest. It is recommended to spray with clean water a few hours before cutting. This makes the greens more juicy; it retains its presentation and aroma longer.
Greenhouse cultivation
This method of growing dill is used in the winter. The optimal temperature inside is 15-17 degrees. If this condition is met, water the culture once every 3-4 days. It takes a little water.
In addition to watering, dill in a greenhouse needs regular irrigation. Spend them every 2 days.
In a greenhouse, it is effective to use sprinklers for irrigation. For dill, a mini-system is enough.
Windowsill cultivation
If you grow dill at home on the windowsill, then you need to use a spray bottle. Such irrigation is especially useful in the winter, when the batteries are hot and the air is quite dry. Spraying is best done every day so that the greens are juicy. Part of the moisture will fall into the soil. Spraying must be carried out after top dressing. This allows you to remove fertilizer on the stem and leaves.
Features of watering dill on the windowsill depend on the time of year. When growing a crop in the summer, you need to focus on the condition of the soil, which should not dry out. The situation will depend on the temperature of the air in the room, the level of humidity and the side of the world that the window faces.
In winter, watering features are different. Do not water the dill until the soil dries after the previous time.
Watering dill on the windowsill is especially important when young seedlings appear. The active growth and development of the culture begins, so the moisture consumption increases.
When growing dill on the windowsill, it is imperative to organize drainage. For it, you can use small pebbles or expanded clay. Drainage allows you to drain excess moisture from the root system and reduce the risk of disease.
Water requirements
In order for dill to grow and develop well, you need to use the correct water for irrigation. It must meet the following requirements:
- Lack of chlorine. If water from the water supply is used, then it must be defended for a day. If possible, you should use melt water for irrigation or pass the liquid through a magnet. When growing dill in open ground, rainwater can be used for irrigation.
- Correct temperature. When growing dill on a windowsill, the water should be at room temperature, you can use a warm liquid. When watering with cold water, the risk of disease increases. If the crop is grown outdoors, the water should be warmed up. For this, a few hours of her stay in the sun is enough.
- Salt content. In a liter of water should be 2-2.5 g of such substances. You can check the salt content at home by pouring water into an enameled container and weighing the dry residue after evaporation.
Water consumption for watering dill
When watering dill, you always need to focus on the condition of the soil and the plants themselves, since a lack or excess of moisture is reflected in their appearance. The optimum water flow rate is 8-12 liters per square meter.
The rate of watering on hot days increases, since moisture is quickly absorbed and evaporates strongly. During this period, 20-30 liters of water is required for each square meter of landings, if you use a drip irrigation system.
On hot days, they resort to sprinkling to refresh the plantings. In this case, 1.5-2 liters of water is required per square meter.
The danger of lack and excess moisture for dill
The soil for dill should always be slightly moist. Lack of moisture is fraught with the following troubles:
- yellowing of greenery;
- loss of taste;
- loss of healing properties;
- slowing down the growth and development of culture;
- poor harvest;
- accumulation of nitrates in the green;
- leaf hardness;
- lack of absorption of nutrients.
The main danger of over-watering dill lies in the increased risk of disease. High humidity is an excellent condition for the growth and reproduction of fungi, bacteria and other pathogens. One of the common problems is the black leg. In this case, the root neck darkens, weakens, softens and becomes thinner. Gradually, decay begins.
Excessive watering of dill is fraught with other troubles:
- growth retardation;
- a significant decrease in the concentration of essential oils in greens, which leads to a loss of aroma and beneficial properties;
- erosion of the earth;
- increase in soil acidity.
Dill loves moisture, but reacts poorly to its excess. With the proper organization of the irrigation regime, the culture will please a good harvest, juicy and fragrant greens. Other comprehensive care measures are important for these results: top dressing, cultivation, weeding, and the prevention of diseases and pests.